[McBike]

This morning I used the My Chevrolet app to precondition my 2017 volt. The car was not plugged in and the ambient temperature was 5 F. Does the precondition shut off after 10 minutes. The app was showing that the car was still in the precondition state 20 min later.
Thanks
Mike

 

[lagagnon]

Please read page 38-39 of the manual. Yes, it shuts off after 10 mins, so the app wasn't updated. I definitely would NOT pre-condition without the vehicle being plugged in as you will significantly reduce your range doing so. In fact, using Level 1 charging (120VAC), even when plugged in, pre-conditioning in colder outside temps means it can take a full 50-60 minutes to get back to full charge. Using a Level 2 charger it takes just a couple of minutes after the 10 min cycle to get back to full charge.

IMHO pre-conditioning is really only viable with a Level 2 system....

 

[McBike]

Thanks, I will read the manual. My assumption was that in cold weather the engine would run and not use the battery. I guess that I really need to read the manual again.
Thanks
Mike

 

[lagagnon]

Ooops sorry. Yes, depending on your settings it may start the engine if not plugged in. Please see page 143 of the manual.

 

[TSquare]

Without being plugged in, the engine should have started right away. And, yes, it should only run for 10 minutes UNLESS your hit the precondition button a second time, then it would run for 20 minutes.

 

[gocheif]

Preconditioning when plugged into L1 110V is fine as long as you don't need full range that day (I usually only drive 20-30 miles a day). When plugged in, gas engine will not run. When unplugged, gas engine will run based on the setting you have for engine assist heat.

Be careful using preconditioning in a cold garage if unplugged, because gas engine can fill your garage and house with CO.

 

[snic]

Preconditioning when plugged into L1 110V is fine as long as you don't need full range that day (I usually only drive 20-30 miles a day).

In my experience, preconditioning while plugged into L1 charger at 12 amps uses no more than about 5% of the battery energy. This is really quite negligible, and well worth it when you consider the pleasure of stepping into a nice warm car when it's 10 degrees out.

When plugged in, gas engine will not run.

Actually there is a setting for this. The gas engine can run when plugged in and preconditioning, if set to do so.

 

[2VoltFamily]

I definitely would NOT pre-condition without the vehicle being plugged in as you will significantly reduce your range doing so.

IMHO pre-conditioning is really only viable with a Level 2 system....

I precondition without being plugged in more than plugged in. Leaving work, Leaving sporting event, leaving shopping mall, leaving relatives house, etc. Plenty of examples of precondition without being plugged in.

Preconditioning is not about range, it is about a warm cabin, anytime you need it.

 

[jcanoe]

I always precondition my Volt prior to leaving home in summer and winter while plugged into a Level 2 EVSE. When away from home I will also precondition when not plugged in, again to cool down a hot interior or warm up the cabin before I re-enter the vehicle. Yes, it uses some power from the battery to do so but if the vehicle was recently warmed up prior to again preconditioning the hit on the EV range is not that great. Also, if it is cold enough then the ICE will start when preconditioning due to the cold temperature and that warms the car without using much of the battery.

The precondition cycle lasts 10 minutes although you can extend it for an additional 10 minutes. If the ICE starts due to the outside temperature being lower than 35F/2C, or 15F/-9C if Engine Assist Heat is set to Deferred, then the ICE will only run until the engine coolant temperature reaches 147F/64C then cycles off. The ICE may not need to run for the full 10 minutes, so maybe only the first 5 minutes of the entire preconditioning cycle.

 

[jcanoe]

When plugged in, gas engine will not run. When unplugged, gas engine will run based on the setting you have for engine assist heat. Be careful using preconditioning in a cold garage if unplugged, because gas engine can fill your garage and house with CO.

Actually, the Engine Assist Heat will cause the gas engine to run, even if the Volt is plugged in, unless you have changed the setting for Engine Assist Heat (When) Plugged In to be NO.

 

[Slik Volt]

In my experience, preconditioning while plugged into L1 charger at 12 amps uses no more than about 5% of the battery energy. This is really quite negligible, and well worth it when you consider the pleasure of stepping into a nice warm car when it's 10 degrees out.



Actually there is a setting for this. The gas engine can run when plugged in and preconditioning, if set to do so.

Hi.. I am a new Volt owner here in Canada.. I using the standard 120V outlet to charge my car. I am curious about the preconditioning option (my previus Ford Fusion Plug-In did something different!). Essentially my question is that when the vehicle is plugged in.. how can I ensure the gas engine will NOT turn on. The car is parked in my garage and in winter its cold.. I would not want the engine to startf because of the potential Carbon Monoxide entering the house throgh the attached garage.. how can I prevent the enginre from starting when plugged in?

 

[billmcf]

how can I prevent the engine from starting when plugged in?

Go into the settings, and look for "Engine Assist Heat Plugged In." Setting it to OFF will prevent the engine from running when the car is plugged in.

 

[Slik Volt]

Thanks Bill.. The settings you refer to where are they?.. inside the car or the app?

 

[hellsop]

Thanks Bill.. The settings you refer to where are they?.. inside the car or the app?

They're in the car.

 

[RedHaven]

I had the same question so thank you everyone for the responses. The weather here in GA has been mild since I got my 2017 Volt last week so preconditioning the car has not made much of a difference. I also appreciate the pages in the manual where this is addressed because for some reason, they do not use the word "preconditioning" which is what I was searching for.

I am also worried about CO2 in my garage but since my garage is attached, I doubt it ever gets below 50 in there.